Memorandum of Understanding Singed by UNDP and Local Administration Units



Representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and 47 Municipalities and Cities in BIH, selected partners for the Strengthening of Local Democracy III Project (LOD III) and Integral Local Development Project (ILDP), signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Sarajevo. The LOD III Project is implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice of BIH, while ILDP Project is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of or Human Rights and Refugees of BIH, Ministry of Justice of FBIH and Ministry for Administration and Local Administration of RS. The LOD Project is financed by the EU through IPA funds in amount of EUR 2 million, while the Swiss International Development Agency secured USD 5 million for the implementation of the ILDP Project.

The signing ceremony was attended by representatives of State and Entity institutions, heads of partner local administrations, and representatives of donor and international institutions. The ceremony marked the beginning of a joint initiative for strengthening of local administration with a view at improvement of quality of life in local communities.

Minister of Justice of BIH Bariša Čolak said in his address at the ceremony that a developed civil society is an indicator of level of development in any democratic society, and that it is a link between authorities and citizens, which makes this  sector one among priorities of BIH in the European Integrations process.

Minister for Human Rights and Refugees of BIH Damir Ljubić said in his address that through direct engagement with local administration units throughout BIH on issues of sustainable return and social inclusion of all vulnerable groups of society a lack of systematic creation and implementation of development policies at a local level became obvious.

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